Pro-tek see-thru gas cap

ABSTRACT

Fuel cap with a see-thru top that is both functional and decorative. The fuel cap body made from billet aluminum, plastic, or completely acrylic is like any stock fuel cap for that application. Oriented as a inverted hollow cup with inner female threads that allow it to be placed on a fuel tank filler opening with matching male threads. Centered at the top of the cap is a round hole that accepts a clear lens made of any glass or acrylic, poly, fuel-resistant material. This lens has a beveled top so it can be placed into the fuel cap body from the top and secured from the inside with a Viton O-ring. Using this method retains the clear lens in place and also seals the mating surfaces preventing fuel leakage. Protruding from the top center of this clear lens is a nipple with a knurled end. Bored vertically thru this nipple is a vent hole that allows fuel tank venting and positive/negative pressure relief. A vent tube is attacted to this nipple on one end and can be routed to vent overboard. It can also accept a vent cap mounted vertically at the top end of the vent tube. The vent cap incorporating a one-way checkvalve would have two functions: it would allow outside air to enter the fuel tank via the vent tube and fuel cap as fuel is normally consumed in the fuel tank, and also keep fuel from running overboard in the event the vehicle was to roll on it&#39;s side.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fuel cap that has a clear top as to allow one to see the fuel in a fuel tank without the need to remove the cap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most of todays modern street motorcycles are equipped with a fuel gauge so a rider can manage his or her fuel when riding. But all-terrain vehicles such as, dirtbikes, motocross, enduro bikes, quads, atvs, jetskis, and snowmobiles do not have a means of monitoring fuel level. There are many reasons for this simplicity, production cost, lack of an electrical system, high vibration and fuel sloshing problems. Off road vehicles are exposed to the most grueling punishment. Any mechanical fuel sensing gauge would be prone to failure due to the high vibration, and fuel sloshing caused by a vehicle traversing irregular terrain.

In order to allow a rider of many of the off-road vehicles mentioned above, manufactures have incorporated a reserve position on the fuel supply valves. This allows a rider to normally ride the vehicle with the fuel valve in the ON position until fuel starvation occurs. At that point, to help the rider get to a refueling point, the fuel valve would be placed in the reserve position allowing a small portion of remaining fuel (reserve fuel) to be used in the tank.

A reserve fuel valve will only allow a rider a small amount of fuel to get to a refuel point after fuel is exhausted in the normal ON position. The rider has no way of monitoring fuel level while riding. With no early indication that the vehicle is about to run out of fuel a dangerous situation can occur. For example: maneuvering over an obstacle where engine power is needed and power is unexpectedly lost due to fuel starvation. This could be a very unsafe situation.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a means of visually gauging the fuel level from the top of the fuel cap without the need to remove the cap from the fuel tank.

It is another object of this invention to visually verify that the fuel tank was previously filled to full capacity without removing the fuel cap while on an unstable platform therefore preventing fuel spillage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fuel cap with a see-thru top that is both functional and decorative. The fuel cap body made from billet aluminum, plastic, or completely acrylic is like any stock fuel cap designed for that application. Oriented as a inverted hollow cup with inner female threads that allow it to be placed on a fuel tank filler opening with matching male threads. Centered at the top of the cap is a round hole that accepts a clear lens made of glass, poly, or any clear fuel resistant material. This lens has a beveled top so it can be placed into the main fuel cap body from the top and secured from the inside with a Viton O-ring. Using this method retains the clear lens in place and also seals the mating surface preventing fuel leakage. Protruding from the top center of this clear lens is a nipple. Bored vertically thru this nipple is a vent hole that allows fuel tank venting, and positive/negative pressure relief. A vent tube is attached to this nipple on one end and can be routed to vent overboard. It can also accept a vent cap mounted vertically at the top end of the vent tube. The vent cap incorporating a one-way checkvalve would have two functions: it would allow outside air to enter the fuel tank via the vent tube and fuel cap as fuel is normally consumed in the fuel tank and would also keep fuel from running overboard in the event the vehicle was to roll on to it's side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Pro-Tek See-Thru Gas Cap in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a Pro-Tek See-Thru Gas Cap;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a Pro-Tek See-Thru Gas Cap;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a Pro-Tek See-Thru Gas Cap; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of a Side view of Clear Top.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Pro-Tek See-Thru Gas Cap 10, in accordance with the invention. The Main Body 11 may be fabricated of aluminum, plastic, metal or any other suitable material. Moreover, the Main Body 11 is circular in the perfered embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as any other geometrical shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user.

The Clear top 12 can be fabricated of a clear acryiic, plastic, glass or any other suitable material. The Clear top 12 is beveled so it can be inserted from the top on to the Main Body 11. Once inserted, it would sit flush with the top of the Main Body 11.

Securing the Clear top 12 to the Main Body 11 is a Retaining O-ring 14 that would be stretched onto the machined groove in the lower portion of the Clear top 12 from the bottom end of the Main Body 11. This Retaining O-ring 14 would securely retain the Clear top 12 in place, and also act as a seal preventing a fuel leak.

The Fuel Cap Gasket 16 is then placed thru the bottom of the Main Body 11. It's purpose to secure a leak proof seal when the fuel cap 10 is tightened onto the fuel tank.

The Clear top 12 would incorporate a nipple with a vertical hole bored thru it. This would allow a Vent Hose 18 to be placed and secured over the nipple. The Vent Hose 18 can be any length and can be routed anywhere venting the fuel tank to the atmosphere.

A Vent Cap 20 can also be placed on top of the Vent House 18 to vent the fuel tank. This Vent Cap 20 can have a one-way check valve incorporated inside allowing standard atmosphere air to enter the fuel tank as fuel is normally consumed by the powerplant and prevent fuel from flowing of the tank when the vehicle is turned on it's side.

FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 show the Pro-Tek See-Thru Fuel Cap from the top, bottom, and side view.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 

1. A pro-tek see-thru gas cap for a gas cap with a clear see thru top for the purpose of being able to see the fuel in a fuel tank without removing the cap. comprising: means for a perspective view of the pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with the invention; means for providing a window to visually see thru the main fuel cap body; means for retaining the clear top to the main body, and provide a seal preventing fuel leakage, elastically connected to said means for providing a window to visually see thru the main fuel cap body; means for venting the fuel tank for positive and negative pressure differential; and means for the main body of the gas cap, rigidly connected to said means for providing a window to visually see thru the main fuel cap body.
 2. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for a perspective view of the pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with the invention. comprises a pro-tek see-thru gas cap.
 3. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a window to visually see thru the main fuel cap body. comprises a clear top.
 4. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for retaining the clear top to the main body, and provide a seal preventing fuel leakage. comprises a retaining o-ring.
 5. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for venting the fuel tank for positive and negative pressure differential. comprises a vent hose.
 6. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the main body of the gas cap. comprises a main body.
 7. A pro-tek see-thru gas cap for a gas cap with a clear see thru top for the purpose of being able to see the fuel in a fuel tank without removing the cap. comprising: a pro-tek see-thru gas cap, for a perspective view of the pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with the invention; a clear top, for providing a window to visually see thru the main fuel cap body; a retaining o-ring, for retaining the clear top to the main body, and provide a seal preventing fuel leakage, elastically connected to said Clear Top; a vent hose, for venting the fuel tank for positive and negative pressure differential; and a main body, for the main body of the gas cap, rigidly connected to said Clear Top.
 8. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap as recited in claim 7, further comprising: a fuel cap gasket, for sealing the main body to the fuel tank spout.
 9. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap as recited in claim 7, further comprising: a vent cap, for venting fuel tank, preventing fuel from running overboard in the event the fuel tank is turned on it's side.
 10. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap as recited in claim 8, further comprising: a vent cap, for venting fuel tank, preventing fuel from running overboard in the event the fuel tank is turned on it's side.
 11. A pro-tek see-thru gas cap for a gas cap with a clear see thru top for the purpose of being able to see the fuel in a fuel tank without removing the cap. comprising: a pro-tek see-thru gas cap, for a perspective view of the pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with the invention; a clear top, for providing a window to visually see thru the main fuel cap body; a retaining o-ring, for retaining the clear top to the main body, and provide a seal preventing fuel leakage, elastically connected to said Clear Top; a fuel cap gasket, for sealing the main body to the fuel tank spout; a vent hose, for venting the fuel tank for positive and negative pressure differential; a vent cap, for venting fuel tank, preventing fuel from running overboard in the event the fuel tank is turned on it's side; and a main body, for the main body of the gas cap., rigidly connected to said Clear Top. 